Dry Eyes

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Our eyes need tears to stay healthy and if our eyes do not produce enough tears, it becomes dry and uncomfortable. Dry eyes can affect one or both eyes and it can vary from mild to severe. Dry eyes are common, but they can also cause vision problems.

Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center have the best eye doctor in Brooklyn that can help you deal with any eye condition. To know more about the different eye conditions, their symptoms, causes, and treatments, contact us at Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center.

Symptoms

When you have dry eyes, you may experience:

• A stinging or burning sensation in your eyes
• A scratchy feeling, like there I something in your eyes
• Eye redness or soreness
• Blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity of the eyes to smoke or wind
• Stringy mucus around the eyes
• Eye fatigue after reading
• Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
• Difficulty keeping the eyes open
• Eyelids sticking together after waking up

Causes

Dry eyes can be caused by a variety of reason that disrupts the healthy tear film. Sometimes, there is a lack of balance in the tear-flow system. Our household heater and air-conditioner are some of the things that could dry out our tear film. Other causes can include:

• Side effects of some drugs, such as antihistamines
• Diseases that affect the ability in producing tears
• The natural aging process, especially menopause
• Conditions that don’t allow the eyelids to close fully
• Using contact lenses for a long period of time
• Being in a very dry climate
• Looking at a computer screen for a long time
• Swollen eyelids

Treatment

Treatments for dry eyes will usually depend on what’s causing the problem. There are a few treatments to ease your symptoms and keep your eyes healthy. These treatments can include:

• Over-the-counter eye drops – the most common treatment for dry eyes is to use eye drops to act as an artificial tear
• Prescription medicines – if your condition is more serious, your doctor may prescribe you medicines that can help you make more tears
• Lifestyle changes – if your dry eyes are caused by your environment, your doctor may suggest changes that could help you protect your eyes. Like limit screen time or use a humidifier to keep your home from getting too dry.
• Tear duct plugs – if your tears are draining too quickly, your doctor may suggest putting special plugs in your tear ducts, these plugs can help keep your tears in your eyes.
• Surgery – when your lower eyelids are too loose, it could be the cause of your dry eyes. Your doctor may suggest surgery to fix your eyelids and help your tears stay in your eyes.

If you notice your eyes getting dry more often, talk to your doctor immediately. Or if another condition is causing your dry eyes, treating the underlying condition can help improve your eye health. Taking care of your eye health is very important. Our team at the ophthalmology department can assist you with your condition. You can visit Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212, visit our website at http://www.ophthalmologybrooklyn.com/, or call 1-347-384-5690 to schedule an appointment.